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- Title
Evaluation of Gram Stain Error Rates of Clinical Specimens.
- Authors
Sajjad, Rabia; Zaman, Gohar; Mirza, Irfan Ali; Hussain, Wajid; Khurshid, Umar; Shehzad, Asim
- Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) and associated risk factors. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2018 to Feb 2019. Methodology: Gram staining and culture inoculation of all specimens were performed per recommended guidelines. The Gram stain results on day-0 were compared with the results of the culture on day-2. There was no discrepancy if similar organisms were obtained on culture as on Gram stain. Nevertheless, if the Gram stain and culture results were not similar, it was termed a discrepancy. The consultant microbiologist reviewed all discrepant slides, and if not resolved, possible causes of error were sought, and the results documented. Results: Of the total 300 clinical specimens, errors were observed in the initial gram staining of 29 specimens (9.7%), whereas 271(90.3%) specimens were error-free. Upon evaluating these 29 errors, 11(38.0%) were observer errors which were resolved when reviewed by a consultant microbiologist. 14(48.0%) were technical errors, and 4(14.0%) results were discrepant due to the presence of anaerobic organisms, missed on initial aerobic cultures. Conclusion: The frequency of Gram stain errors in our study (9.7%) is not very high; nevertheless, it can have severe consequences in critical samples from seriously ill patients if wrong empirical antimicrobial treatment is begun based on a wrong initial Gram stain result.
- Subjects
PAKISTAN; GRAM'S stain; ERROR rates; RESPIRATORY infections; HOSPITAL care of children; RESPIRATORY syncytial virus
- Publication
Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 2022, Vol 72, Issue 6, p1945
- ISSN
0030-9648
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.51253/pafmj.v72i6.5815